Pony ride to Yackandandah

In just three years the country lesbian and gay festival that is Spring Migration has expanded its cultural waistline. The entertainment line-up still features the obligatory parties and drag performances (this year Anita Beer, Formeldahyde and Miss Vogue are booked) but there’s also the introduction of a live music program. Northcote band, Goodnight Thomas and girl group, Don’t Mess with the Pony are both listed in the Spring Migration festival program.

The Pony girls head to Yackandandah on the tail end of a Canadian tour and the lucrative festival circuit. By email they say travelling and playing overseas has opened lots of doors and they’ve had a “fantastic response”.

“One audience member even gave us a $100 tip,” they write. “We’ve been

selling lots of our CDs to Canadian punters and adding lots of email

addresses to our mailing list. As for juicy stories, you’ll have to come chat with us at Spring Migration to get those.”

Don’t Mess with the Pony played in Yackandandah last year and was approached directly by Spring Migration organisers who thought their smooth grooves and funky rhythms would fit perfectly into the festival line-up. For this rural gay gig, the luscious ladies (Megan Bernard, Cat Leahy, and Suzanne Bass) will find themselves in familiar surrounds at the local Star Hotel and they wouldn’t have it any other way.

“Country areas around Australia tend to draw a more excited crowd specifically out to listen to the music, generally because they don’t get the same opportunities as the larger cities,” they say. “You know you’re doing a good job when the punters become involved and affected with what you’re doing . . .  we draw a lot from those moments.”

Also performing at Spring Migration is Goodnight Thomas headed up by Nick Tiliacos. This hot Northcote band is featured in the Triple J Unearthed line-up.

Spring Migration at Yackandandah runs from 31August to 2 September. Details: www.springmigration.com.au